Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes' population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, ethnicity and religion.

The population reached nearly quarter of a million

In the decade to 2011, the population of Milton Keynes increased by 20%, from about 207,000 to 249,000.

The addition of just under 42,000 people means this area's population was the fastest-growing in the South East and increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Milton Keynes was home to, on average, 5.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in Milton Keynes.

The percentage of households in Milton Keynes that rented privately increased from 7.5% in 2001 to 17% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in six (18%) households lived in social housing, compared with 19% in 2001. The percentage of Milton Keynes households that owner their home decreased from 67% to 58%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Milton Keynes increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Milton Keynes, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Milton Keynes

The number of people in Milton Keynes from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 190,000 in 2001 to just under 200,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 91% to 80%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Milton Keynes from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 9,400 in 2001 to about 23,000 in 2011 (from 4.5% to 9.2%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 5,000 to about 17,000 (from 2.4% to 6.9%).

About 8,200 people (1.8%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 3,700 in 2001 (3.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Milton Keynes decreased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Milton Keynes by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Milton Keynes

The number of people in Milton Keynes that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 45,000 in 2001 to about 78,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 22% to 31% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Milton Keynes that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 140,000 in 2001 to about 130,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 53%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation remained close to 16,000 (6.6%)

Just under 12,000 people (2.3%) said they were Muslim, up from about 4,800 in 2001 (4.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Milton Keynes increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Milton Keynes by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Milton Keynes working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 13% to 9.9% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.6%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.7% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 14% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Milton Keynes decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Milton Keynes, the South East and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Milton Keynes residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.1% to 4.1% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (85%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 72% in 2001. The percentage of Milton Keynes residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Milton Keynes decreased by 3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Milton Keynes, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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